Journey to Jerusalem

Well it has been hard to find a regular computer to write a post. I am resorting to writing this on my iTouch so this will be much shorter. I decided from here on out I can probably do some shorter posts on my iTouch and post more frequently. Only time will tell if that actually happens.

We are finally in Jerusalem and met up with my family today. But much has happened to get us here. This is the abbreviated rundown.

We Hitchhiked to southern Israel. While in the car, our driver told us he was from Ashdod which was receiving some of the hits from the recent rocket blasts. His mom called him in the car to say another rocket had hit, but they were all okay in a shelter. It definitely brought the reality of the conflict close to home.

We crossed the border into Jordan with zero problems and spent a day in Petra. It was absolutely amazing. I don't have words to express how incredible it was and to experience the hospitality of the Bedouins there.

We took a bus to Amman and onto the border. I was the only person on my bus to get patted down and given the third degree on questions related to why I was coming back into Israel from Jordan. Apparently customs in Israel has my number.

We made it to Nazareth and stayed in an amazing convent run by French nuns. They invited us to their morning prayer which was great. Coming into Nazareth you finally feel like you are entering the Christian centered part of the country. The churches are huge there and connections to Jesus' life are everywhere.

We rented a car in Tiberias partially because getting to the northern parts of Israel is difficult and because it is Shabbat and everything shuts down. We were able to see the Sea of Galilee and much of the beauty of the beauty of the Golan. Seriously this is one beautiful country with much changing scenery.

We arrived in Jerusalem this afternoon and had a few hours to kill so we visited part of the Old City. We met up with Aunt Kathleen, Uncle Mark, Eva and Jamison for dinner. Afterwards Lev came by and visited. I was already excited to be here and experience the wedding and after talking to him I am looking forward to it even more.

It has been a whirlwind of a week. Janet and I are both looking forward to this week in Jerusalem. I will try and post about the wedding and events going on here.

And most importantly. Go State.